Best Les Paul Standard for a Playa'

Under 4500?

Get a used R7 or a R8, if you like thinner necks an R0

I was iffy with my R7 for a long time before I realized it’s a TOOL! It’s meant to be played, life’s too short,play it!

Mine is a 2006 I bought new and have no complaints,(although the knobs have cracked,apparently a defect)

It has a couple imperfections but I tell myself that’s how you can tell hands were on it

Some people get on about “good wood” years and such but everyone has their favorite and usually like me it’s because they own one from that year

I personally like the early-mid 2000’s although less accurate

 

What kind of "features" do you want? Push pull pots and split coils? What kind of neck shape are you looking for?
If you are looking for a classic style Les Paul Standard, the new 50's and 60's Standards are amazing guitars. Non weight relieved, traditional hand wired with 500k pots and orange drop caps. 50's has the 50's neck of course, likewise 60's has 60's neck. 50's have Alnico 2 humbuckers, 60's have Alnico 5's, slightly hotter.
Vintage Gibson Deluxe tuners on 50's, Grovers on 60's.
Great bang for buck Standard

 

I’ve owned a lot of Les Pauls.

My first was a ‘75 Deluxe.

I also had a ‘78 Standard, an ‘80s Custom, an 80s Standard, and 89 studio, a ‘90s Special, an ‘06 Studio faded, ‘00s Special HB, 00’s JR, ‘13 Signature T, and some others I’m forgetting.

I currently have a ‘19 Classic. It’s awesome. I’ve never had one that played better. The ‘89 Studio was *as good* and was lighter. But it didn’t sound nearly as nice. Probably would have been amazing if I’d tried some different pickups, but that really wasn’t a thing in those days.

 

I forgot about the classics!

I’ve never played one but they seem to be well liked

And you don’t have to use your whole budget

 

Used R7. The Goldtops are bargains compared to 'Bursts, and wear scars and dents beautifully!

 

It’s got the coil tap/phase/whatever push/pull crap in it. But it doesn’t bother me at all. I don’t use it, but it doesn’t bother me that it’s there. I chose the classic over the standard (I could have had either) because the Classic came with my preference of a 60’s neck, came in a really cool color (Translucent Cherry), and had a plain top. I figured if I liked the coil tappy stuff I’d use it, if not then I wouldn’t. So far I haven’t. But it’s there if I ever want it.

It’s weight relieved, but so so what? It’s still heavy at 8lbs 12oz, and it sounds fantastic. Some people don’t care for the BB 61 pickups. I love the bridge pickup. The neck can be a little dark, and can get muddy depending on which amp I’m using, but I’m hesitant to change it out because the middle position is $$$ and I don’t wanna screw that up.

 

I don’t think it ever tanked. I keep looking for these crappy, horrible Gibsons that people write about on the internet, but I never find any.

 

If you want a fat neck, just get a 50’s necked standard. They’re great guitars. I got lucky. I prefer the 60’s neck, and I prefer the Grover tuners to the vintage style. My classic came with both features.

I’d recommend the standard for you, though. You seem to lean more toward that styling.

With your budget, I’d go ahead and get a new one. There’s something to be said for doing all the damage yourself, and being able to tell the story that goes with each mark and blemish. That’s why I got my Classic new. I figured I was keeping this one, and I wanted it to be all mine.

 

Mine is a Classic from 2000, maybe 2001. Nice neck, not too this, not too thick, very good tobacco sunburst (if anything, it was a bit too ‘vivid’) and excellent playability. The pickups were a bit modern for my taste (I think they were 490R and 500T, maybe) but very solid tone. I replaced the pickups with a set of Pearly Gates and found it a bit less versatile but very up my alley, and that’s how it has stayed.

I also had access to a 1990-ish LP Studio with the ebony board that was an absolute delight to play, especially after a few years to mellow. The arctic White was a bit much at first, but it yellowed which helped.

 

I had a tribute that I absolutely loved. It would have been a lifer if not for needing money for a medical procedure. Hoping to replace it again someday. Those would be well below your budget, but I really think for a player they represent a great sounding guitar and look mighty nice. The honeyburst on mine was stunning.

 

Early 90’s US Standard here..

The one you can’t put down is the one though. Could be any.

 

Different body construction for Les Paul guitars for weight reduction through the years

http://www.gibsontraditional.com/body-construction/

 

If you're looking at used Custom Shop R7s and R8s, the more recent, the better, but even the earliest are fine guitars -- I'm not a fan of the 57 Classics they used early on, but pickups can be swapped. I'm not nuts about recent Classics and Standards -- the ones without weight relief are wicked heavy, and the ones with weight relief don't really have that firmness I like in a Paul.

Older Standards, probably stay before 2008, if you can find a nice one.

 

I bought two Original Series Standards new - 50s Goldtop P90 and a 60s . They sound, look, and feel pretty different from one another - weight, balance, neck profile, acoustic and plugged-in sound. I was lucky to try a bunch out before I found exactly what I wanted.

I much prefer them to the other LPs I've had ('97 Standard, Studio, a couple of Specials and Juniors, and many of the usual knock-offs). I have a ""holy grail" vintage knockoff and honestly, I prefer the new Gibsons.

It might be difficult to test drive many as a lefty...although it might land you a really good deal on a used example.

 

I've got an '82 Standard. Stellar guitar. Pretty much found it by accident. It's the one my avatar.

Plenty of good used LPs out there, although being lefty might be an impediment. Good luck!

- D

 

Now some of those “oughts” LPs are chambered. Probably should be aware of it, it is a deal killer for some folks.

 

I'm really digging a Standard 50's Gold Top with humbuckers as we speak. 8lb-6oz, unchambered, gorgeous, and unbelievably resonant - every inch of it is responsive. It is not at the level your budget allows, but it is a helluva great guitar.

I believe the big ole fat chunky 50's neck has a lot to do with it.

I am not sure about the "lefty" situation, may the Force(tm) be with you on that.

 

I have a Les Paul Traditional Pro IV from GC a few years ago that I like very much. Different versions have different necks, mine is 60s with great 57 classic pickups.